Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
  • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
  • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
  • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
  • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
  • G06K19/08—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means
  • G06K19/10—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means at least one kind of marking being used for authentication, e.g. of credit or identity cards
  • G06K19/14—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means at least one kind of marking being used for authentication, e.g. of credit or identity cards the marking being sensed by radiation
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
  • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
  • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
  • G06K19/06009—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code with optically detectable marking
  • G06K19/06037—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code with optically detectable marking multi-dimensional coding
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
  • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
  • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
  • G06K7/14—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
  • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
  • G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
  • G11B7/002—Recording, reproducing or erasing systems characterised by the shape or form of the carrier
  • G11B7/0033—Recording, reproducing or erasing systems characterised by the shape or form of the carrier with cards or other card-like flat carriers, e.g. flat sheets of optical film
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
  • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
  • G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
  • G11B7/007—Arrangement of the information on the record carrier, e.g. form of tracks, actual track shape, e.g. wobbled, or cross-section, e.g. v-shaped; Sequential information structures, e.g. sectoring or header formats within a track
  • G11B7/013—Arrangement of the information on the record carrier, e.g. form of tracks, actual track shape, e.g. wobbled, or cross-section, e.g. v-shaped; Sequential information structures, e.g. sectoring or header formats within a track for discrete information, i.e. where each information unit is stored in a distinct discrete location, e.g. digital information formats within a data block or sector
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
  • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
  • G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
  • G11B7/08—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers
  • G11B7/085—Disposition or mounting of heads or light sources relatively to record carriers with provision for moving the light beam into, or out of, its operative position or across tracks, otherwise than during the transducing operation, e.g. for adjustment or preliminary positioning or track change or selection
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
  • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
  • G11B7/00—Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor
  • G11B7/12—Heads, e.g. forming of the optical beam spot or modulation of the optical beam
  • G11B7/13—Optical detectors therefor

Definitions

• a banking card is disclosed suitable for use with automatic teller machines (ATMs) .
• ATMs automatic teller machines
• the patent describes a card having optical data written by a laser which forms pits in the medium.
• the medium itself is described as a thin metallic recording layer made of reflective metal.
• Types of reflective recording material suitable for use in such cards are described in U.S. patents 4,269,917; 4,304,848 and
• This material is characterized by reflective silver particles in a gelatin matrix.
• the silver parti ⁇ cles form a reflective field which may be modified by laser writing or, in some instances, by photographic prerecording of information. Since the material des ⁇ cribed in the patents is based upon silver halide emul ⁇ sions, exposure of data patterns and subsequent devel ⁇ oping of the patterns leads to recording of data in a manner similar to laser writing. In either case, data is represented by spots or pits in a reflective field. Reflective spots in an absorptive field would also work.
• the parallel tracks are typically not closely spaced and substantial blank space is provided between bit positions. Others, such as Browning, sacri ⁇ fice speed in reading data for higher density by using only a single detector.
• An object of the present invention was to de- vise a means for formatting optically recorded data for a data card, or the like, in a way that increases data density, while at the same time minimizes error resulting from crosstalk and other sources.
• the above object has been achieved in an opti ⁇ cal data storage and retrieval system in which data is stored in a high density format and is read at a high rate with minimum error.
• the system includes an optical storage medium, such as a data card with a strip of optical data storage material disposed thereon, and a linear CCD array.
• High density is achieved by encoding data as microscopic spots aligned in specified data cell positions of a grid of perpendicular, non-overlapping, rows and columns of cell positions.
• the optical medium is read transmissively by moving it relative to a linear array of optical detec- tors.
• the detector array is disposed for reading on an opposite side of the medium from a light source.
• the detector array is alligned perpendicular to the direction of lengthwise card motion for simultaneously reading each cell position in a row of cell positions.
• a plurality of detector cells read each specified cell position for minimizing error. Groups of similar cells simultaneously read a plurality of specified data cell positions.
• the card can be moved in (1) an incremental fashion, where the card or optics is stepped to each new row and the data is recovered, or (2) a uniform motion where the electronics continuously reads rows of data until a high quality read is found.
• the electronics can detect a new row of data by special marks on the ends of the row.
• the system minimizes error resulting from crosstalk and other sources by having a plurality of detectors of the array observe each data cell, output from the number of detectors observing a cell can be poled to determine whether or not a spot existed within a cell. For exam ⁇ ple, if two of three detectors have voltage levels indic ⁇ ative of a spot, then presence of the spot is assigned to that particular cell. However, if only one detector cell indicates a spot, the cell is determined to be empty. Such poling is also helpful because spots may not be centered in a cell or have a geometrically optimal shape.
• Fig. 1 is a front plan view of an optical data storage and retrieval system in accord with the present invention.
• Fig. 2 is a frontal blowup view of a data strip having optically readable digital data thereon.
• Fig. 3 is a plan view of data spots arranged in cells in accord with the present invention.
• Fig. 4 is a detail of detector cells aligned for reading data spots in accord with the present invention.
• Fig. 5 is a plan view of data spots in a cen- tral band and neighboring bands, with a CCD array span ⁇ ning the central band and portions of the neighboring bands.
• Fig. 6 is a block diagram of optical, mechani ⁇ cal and electrical components of a data strip reader mechanism in accord with the present invention.
• a card transport 11 is shown.
• the transport includes a rail 13 which sup ⁇ ports a card 15, such as a credit card.
• the transport 11 includes a readout head 17 mounted for scanning a strip 19 carried by card 15.
• Strip 19 is an optical storage medium, preferably of the transmissive type, such as one formed from a silver-halide emulsion which has been pho- tolithographically exposed through a mask to actinic radiation and developed to produce a medium with trans ⁇ parent spots in an opaque field.
• Strip 19 may also be 5 formed from diazo or vesicular type films. These ma ⁇ terials are commercially available from Xidex Corporation and others.
• the medium may also be produced with opaque spots in a transmissive field.
• the readout head 17 holds a linear array 21 of optical detectors, such as a CCD array.
• the linear array 5 has a line of detectors which spans at least one row of data on strip 19 at a time.
• Card 15 may have other indicia thereon, such as alphanumeric indicia 23 serving as eye-readable identification information.
• strip 19 moves past the readout head 17 so that the strip 19 passes beneath the linear detector array 21. This allows microscopic data spots on the strip to pass beneath the readout head 17.
• 5 Fig. 2 shows a detail of the strip.
• the optical data strip spans the length of the card, similar to a magnetic data strip on a credit card.
• Inward from edge 25 is a first data area or Q band between parallel lines 27 and 29.
• a second data area or band exists between lines 29 and 31.
• the second data area or band is approximately the same size as the first.
• the lines 27, 29 and 31 are dark, straight, parallel, spaced apart lines which assist in playback of 5 information. Any number of such data areas may be dis ⁇ posed on a data strip, depending upon its width.
• the width of each data area is governed by the size and number of cells disposed across the area. At least one row in one band passes beneath the readout head.
• the detector array overlaps bands, as described below.
• a small quantity of spots 39 is shown.
• the spots are disposed in two rows across the first data recording area.
• the spots are microscopic in size, typically have a dimension greater than 3 microns, with the preferred dimension being about 10 microns, and a range of dimensions for an edge or diameter being between 1 to 35 microns. 0
• the data spots and their positions may be seen in Fig. 3.
• the dashed horizontal lines 35 and the dashed vertical lines 37 are imaginary, serving to indicate cells wherein data is written either photographically or by means of a laser.
• the cells are generally square, 5 although this is not necessary.
• spots 39 may be present or absent.
• the field in which the spots appear may be opaque. The presence of a spot may increase the transmissivity of the field to an extent that a detector can detect light transmitted through a o spot and produce a corresponding signal.
• Previously described line 29 is seen defining the edge of a re ⁇ cording area.
• the spots need not be round, as shown, but may have any regular shape, such as square. There is no 5 required number of cells in a row and no required numbers of columns of cells between spaced apart parallel lines. However, the number of cells in each row is preferably equal. Preferably, the spots are positioned such that they touch each other when adjacent, i.e. contiguous, in Q lateral and lengthwise directions.
• Fig. 4 shows a linear detector array 21 passing over a portion of a grid having the data spot 41 within data cell 43.
• Data cells 45 and 47 are empty, as well as the other data cells which are pictured.
• the linear detector array 21 has a plurality of detectors 51, 53, 55 disposed for sensing light trans ⁇ mitted to each cell. In this case, three detectors observe cell 43 and in the process detect spot 41. Since the detectors are typically CCD devices, the detector output is sensed by shifting charge levels from one end of the linear array to the other. The charge levels are measured in terms of voltages, with a high amount of 5 transmissivity defined as the highest or lowest voltage condition and the lowest amount of transmissivity defined as the opposite voltage condition.
• a threshold level is defined between the maxima and the output from the number of detectors observing one cell can be polled to deter- 0 mine whether or not a spot existed within a cell. For example, if two of three detectors have voltage levels indicative of a spot, then presence of the spot is as ⁇ signed to that particular cell. However, if only one detector cell indicates a spot, the cell is determined to 5 be empty and the single detector reporting a spot is believed to have detected foreign material within the cell.
• a portion of a data card is shown with three adjacent bands of data spots 0 including central band 38 and neighboring bands 36 and
• Band 36 is between parallel lines 28 and 30.
• Band 38 is between parallel lines 30 and 32.
• Band 10 is between parallel lines 32 and 34.
• Each band of data has 46 data cells between the transparent columns immediately 5 adjacent to the opaque parallel lines on either side of a band.
• the linear detector array 21 has a total of 256 detector cells uniformly spaced along the array. In reading data the detector array is over-filled with more than one band. Approximately one-half of each neigh- Q boring band 36 and 10 is captured, as well as the entire ⁇ ty of the central band 38, which is primarily of in ⁇ terest.
• the linear detector array is preferably read several times so that ambiguities may be resolved by comparing successive reads of the same row. This is 5 described further below.
• the central band 38 may be followed electronically by identification of the parallel lines 30 and 32, each having white, i.e. transparent, columns on either side of the line, such as the columns 42 and 44 and data bits forming track marks at the end of each row.
• the track marks may indicate track numbers so that the address of each track is established.
• an optical data stor- 0 age medium 46 is shown to be supported in a card trans ⁇ port 11 driven by a motor 57 via a belt 48.
• the card is held firmly in place by guides 13, seen in Fig. 1, serving to locate edges of the card.
• Motor 57 may be a stepper motor under control of motor servo 59.
• the 5 transport is capable of moving card 46 back and forth, with extreme positions of the transport signaled by opti ⁇ cal limits 61 which are electrically connected to motor servo 59.
• a beam source such as a laser 40, generates a o radiation beam 49 directed toward the data bands on card 46 by means of optics 63 typically a focusing lens.
• Light transmitted through the card is directed toward a linear detector array 50 by means of a lens 52.
• Light source 40 and detector 50 are mounted on opposite sides 5 of the card on a movable support 54 which is driven by a motor 56.
• Light source 40 is a semiconductor laser operating at infrared wavelengths.
• the motor is a step ⁇ per motor which is controlled by a second motor servo 58. Both the first motor servo 59 and the second motor servo Q 58 are connected to a data bus 80 for computer control.
• the first servo 59 forces motor 57 to advance card 46 in a lengthwise direction so that successive rows of data may be read by the linear array 50.
• stepper motor 58 provides crosswise motion control so 5 that various bands of data may be read.
• the linear array 50 is able to read successive rows of data, asynchronously scanning the data, in a sense, as the data is shifted out of the linear array.
• the start of each scan is indicated by means of a start pulse.
• a CCD driver 60 receives incoming data bits along line 62 and produces a start pulse along line 64 once the start of data is recognized. Since the data is self-clocking, clock pulses may be generated from the data stream arriving on line 62 and these clock pulses are sent to other system components along line 66.
• Undecoded data is transmitted along line 68 to a data decoder circuit 70 having memory with vari- ous data patterns. Clock pulses provide timing marks so that data patterns may be recognized.
• Data is also transferred to a reference line follower circuit 72 which recognizes the lines which mark the edges of each band.
• One of the data patterns to be decoded consists of trac marks on the card. Such marks are embedded in each row which, as previously indicated, is termed a "track".
• Reference line information is transmitted from reference line follower 72 to decoder circuit 70 so that track marks can be located adjacent to the reference lines.
• the memory of the bit decoder 70 contains a map indi ⁇ cating where data should be expected. A counter in the bit decoder cooperates with the map in order to match the data stream along line 68 to decoded data bits.
• the linear array 50 is clocked at a rate so that each row of data is read at least a few times before the optics passes on to the next row.
• Each scan from the linear array is tested to find out if it is a new track. If it is a new track, then the best previous pattern match from the previous track is transferred to the data bus. Other scans from the previous track are discarded.
• Each scan of the same track is compared to the previous best decoded track until the best data pattern for that row has been selected when the next row scan is ini ⁇ tiated. The best row is measured by reading track marks at the end of each row. Each track also may be checked for parity. Decoded data is transmitted to a line buffer 74 which converts data to parallel bytes for transmission to bus 80.
• a computer is, connected to the data bus for testing data as described above and for providing error correction.
• the computer also provides control for the motor servos 59 and 58 using known servo correction and feedback techniques.
• each card carries opaque, straight, parallel reference lines separating bands of data. After a band has been read, the second servo 58 positions the optics for reading the next band. Instead of moving the optics, the card could have been moved in the crosswise direction.
• the motors 56 and 57 provide coarse positioning of the card so that the linear array can scan a row of cells, plus neighboring cells on either side of the row.
• the CCD array separates the row utilizing the track marks within each row and in this manner performs electronic tracking of the data. This may be considered to be fine tracking of the data which cooperates with the coarse tracking.
• the preferred embodiment has described a card having a strip of opaque material with transparent spots thereon, it will be realized that a continuous strip could be wound on hubs, like tape.
• the material need not be opaque with transmissive spots but could be transmissive with opaque spots or reflective. Reflective material would be read by light reflecting from the material onto a detector array on the same side of the material relative to the source.
• the material need not be a film material. Most types of laser data storage media can be used.

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• 1986
  • 1986-10-31 US US06/925,197 patent/US4786792A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1987
  • 1987-10-08 AU AU81546/87A patent/AU8154687A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1987-10-08 WO PCT/US1987/002571 patent/WO1988003293A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1987-10-08 EP EP19870907070 patent/EP0328539A4/de not_active Ceased
  • 1987-10-08 JP JP62506529A patent/JP2881306B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1988
  • 1988-06-30 KR KR1019880700758A patent/KR880701927A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation

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